Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The streets of Eldoria City were alive with energy, a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and scents. The city was always bustling, but the atmosphere now was electric, charged with the excitement and nervous anticipation of the

Celestial Arcane Academy's Annual Entrance Exams.

Throngs of people filled the cobblestone streets, young Awakeners flanked by family or friends, their eyes alight with ambition and hope. Merchant stalls lined every corner, hawking wares ranging from enchanted trinkets to spell scrolls, all claiming to give aspiring students an edge. Street performers juggled flames and summoned tiny illusions to the delight of passersby, while inns and eateries brimmed with patrons sharing tales of the academy's trials.

In the open-air plazas, groups of youths—many not yet adorned with the Academy's uniforms—sparred or debated strategies for the practical exam. Others clustered around information boards that displayed the Academy's timetable, rechecking their schedules or nervously comparing notes.

Among the bustling crowd, Isabella and her inseparable twin companions, Cassandra and Alina, stood near one of the towering stone arches marking the entrance to the Academy grounds. All three were dressed in elegant yet practical attire, their bearing noble yet approachable.

The twins, with their contrasting personalities, drew as much attention as Isabella herself. Cassandra, ever composed, held a quiet confidence that turned heads, while Alina's lively expressions and easy laughter exuded charm.

"I can't believe the written exams are almost over," Alina said, her tone half-exasperated, half-relieved as she adjusted the strap of her satchel.

"They weren't

that
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bad," Cassandra replied coolly, flipping through her notes one last time. "You're just worried about your scores."

"I am not!" Alina huffed, pouting.

Isabella smiled faintly, her thoughts elsewhere. She had spent the past two days focusing on the exams and exploring the Academy grounds.

The trio had arrived in Eldoria three days ago, taking the time to familiarize themselves with the city and the Academy's surroundings. Their visit had been purposeful but not without moments of awe, especially when touring the Academy's grand courtyards and training arenas.

The sprawling complex buzzed with activity, and even Isabella, with her usual composed demeanor, had felt a flicker of excitement imagining herself among the students. Their Royal Academy couldn't truly be compared to this place.

Now, as they exited the towering Hall of Knowledge, where the last of the written exams for the day had concluded, Isabella's gaze wandered to the bustling street beyond the Academy gates.

And then she saw him.

At first, it was just a fleeting impression—a familiar figure moving through the crowd. But as she turned her head for a better look, her suspicions were confirmed.

Adrian, her respectable senior brother, was walking through the throng with measured steps, exuding his usual calm authority. He was dressed in his characteristic dark attire, but what caught Isabella's attention most was the presence of the young woman at his side.

With fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders and an air of quiet confidence, the elf was impossible to miss. Isabella recognized her immediately—Irithel, now a second-year student at the Academy and a renowned beast tamer. The elf princess had gained quite the reputation for her skill in the tournament this year, where she had beat every opponent.

"Wait," Isabella muttered, her steps faltering.

Cassandra and Alina, curious about their friend's sudden distraction, followed her gaze.

"That's…" Alina started, narrowing her eyes.

"Young Master Adrian?" Cassandra finished, tilting her head. Her eyes shifted to the red-haired elf beside him. "And who's

she

?"

Before Isabella could respond, a passing senior, overhearing their murmurs, offered a nonchalant reply.

"She's Irithel," the senior said casually. "One of the Academy's best beast tamers. Second-year. Pretty famous, actually."

The twins exchanged a glance, their curiosity only deepening.

Isabella, however, said nothing. Her gaze lingered on Adrian and Irithel as they disappeared into the crowd, her mind a swirl of questions. Why was he here? And why was he with Irithel? Didn't he say he would come when the academy start when she asked him if he would accompany them.

Did he lie or did another thing come up?

Well, she knew he wasn't the type to lie, so it was probably the latter.

'Well, I am gonna see him more often soon. He is gonna become my senior once again. And...'

'I wonder how he will react to the news...'

______ ___ _

Adrian felt the weight of a curious gaze on him, sharp and unwavering, cutting through the bustle of Eldoria's crowded streets. He'd grown used to the attention—

too

used to it, really. Ever since his return to the city, eyes followed him everywhere.

Some gazes brimmed with admiration as if they saw him as a hero. Others carried suspicion or outright confusion, questioning how someone with

no known affinity

and with the peak of the Nebula Tier rank could advance to the second year, a feat that defied convention. And then there were those who simply whispered among themselves, trying to piece together his story.

Adrian didn't care. He had his own priorities, and the opinions of strangers weren't among them.

"Sir Adrian," Irithel's voice broke through his thoughts. She walked beside him with her usual composed elegance, her fiery red hair glinting in the afternoon sun. "You're unusually quiet. What's on your mind?"

"Nothing," he replied simply, his tone calm as ever.

She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Is it the stares again? You're quite the talk of the Academy, after all."

"I've noticed," Adrian said dryly. "But it doesn't bother me."

Irithel chuckled softly, her sharp green eyes studying him. "Good. It shouldn't. You earned your place, after all."

Adrian glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable.

Earned

was a strong word. Luck had played no small part in his advancement to the second year. The Academy's announcement during the graduation ceremony—the one made shortly after his unexpected return—had ensured that every student who had fought valiantly, even those who had perished, would either pass to the next year or graduate posthumously.

He'd been lumped into the same group, his 'revival' granting him the benefit of promotion despite his short time 'death'. It was a bittersweet achievement, one that left a lingering sense of hollowness.

His return to Eldoria had been intended to coincide with the start of the new term, but his plans had shifted unexpectedly when the Academy sent him a letter a week ago. The contents of the letter were simple yet compelling:

"You are tasked to assist in this year's Special Exam."

Adrian wasn't the only one summoned. Several of his classmates had also been requested to assist, including the elf girl beside him, his ever-dutiful sister Aurelia, Aurelius, Ren, Lyra, Aria, and Emeric. Two other classmates he hadn't worked with much were also mentioned in the letter.

Yet, true to the Academy's secretive nature, the contents of the Special Exam were still a mystery to them all.

But, Adrian obviously knew what it was and what would happen.

This was also one of the reasons why he readily agreed and returned to the academy.

An unfortunate incident was going to happen in this year's special exam - and if he didn't do something, many lives would be lost - most of them being the applicants and possibly him or his classmates.

The incident was called - the Dimensional Disturbance.